The Bedchamber crisis (May 1839) is the unofficial name for the 'crisis' that took place under Queen Victoria during a change of Her Majesty's government. After the resignation of Lord Melbourne, Robert Peel was offered the opportunity of forming a Conservative government but realised that such a government would hold a minority in the House of Commons and would be structurally weak, possibly damaging his future political career. Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ... Arms of Lord Melbourne The Right Honourable William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC (15 March 1779–24 November 1848) was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary (1830-1834) and Prime Minister (1834 and 1835-1841), and a mentor of Queen Victoria. ... This article is about the British Prime Minister. ...

Peel resolved the situation by accepting the invitation on the condition that Queen Victoria dismiss her Whig-appointed ladies of the bedchamber. The Queen refused to accept the condition, believing that her ladies were close friends and confidants, rather than pawns of ceremony. Sir Robert Peel, therefore, resigned as Premier, resulting in the return of Lord Melbourne to return as Prime Minister. This is an incomplete list of those who have served as Lady of the Bedchamber in the British Royal Household. ... Arms of Lord Melbourne The Right Honourable William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC (15 March 1779–24 November 1848) was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary (1830-1834) and Prime Minister (1834 and 1835-1841), and a mentor of Queen Victoria. ... Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. ...

After Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert in 1840, the Queen no longer relied on her ladies as companions. In 1841, another General Election was held, and Lord Melbourne lost to Sir Robert Peel. Perhaps on the advice of Victoria's new adviser and confidant, Prince Albert, Victoria made no attempt to block Sir Robert's request to replace the Whig ladies of the bedchamber with Tories. The crisis was quickly forgotten. Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Prince Albert piercing Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence Prince Albert of Monaco Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Prince Albert National Park, Canada Prince Albert in a Can This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same... A general election is an election in which all members of a given political body are up for election. ... Arms of Lord Melbourne The Right Honourable William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC (15 March 1779–24 November 1848) was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary (1830-1834) and Prime Minister (1834 and 1835-1841), and a mentor of Queen Victoria. ... This is about the British Prime Minister. ... While the Whigs (along with the Tories) are often described as one of the two political parties in late 17th to mid 19th century Great Britain, it is more accurate to describe them as loose political groupings or tendencies. ... The term Tory derives from the Tory Party, the ancestor of the modern UK Conservative Party. ...

Reference: The Times, Thursday, May 16, 1839; pg. 4